weather Bulletin

MONTHLY WEATHER
BULLETIN
NO. 343
DECEMBER 2014
A beautiful sunset was captured over Bunmahon Beach in Co Waterford on the evening of the 27th. The day was dominated by a cold, unstable
northwesterly airflow before easing and turning northerly before nightfall. Countrywide, there were showers of rain, sleet and snow but these were
more isolated in the eastern half of the country where the sunniest conditions were reported, up to 5.1 hours at Ashford (Cronykeery), Co Wicklow
(Picture courtesy of Kieran Commins)
VARIABLE RAINFALL, TEMPERATURES AND SUNSHINE
Percentage of Long-Term Average (LTA) rainfall
values were variable and ranged from 30% at
Glenmalure (Cloghernagh), Co Wicklow with
61.4 mm to 191% at Falcarragh (Lough Altan), Co
Donegal with 347.7 mm. Monthly rainfall totals
INSIDE
UPPER AIR ANALYSIS - PAGE 5
ranged from 31.2 mm at Bannow, Co Wexford
(34% of LTA), its driest December since the
station opened in 1997 to 484.5 mm at Drummin
(Tawnyard), Co Mayo. Drummin also reported
the month’s wettest day on the 22nd with
WIND & ELEMENTS. ........ .
4
UPPER ATMOSPHERE ....... . 5
LABORATORY.............. . . . 6
AGMET.......................6/7
DAILY WEATHER .............. 8
RAINFALL ................... 10
TEMPERATURE ............. . 12
SUNSHINE ................... 14
MARINE & PRESSURE ... . . 15
GLOBAL WEATHER ......... . 16
Produced by Met Éireann,
Glasnevin Hill, Dublin 9.
Annual subscription
€80 (excluding VAT of 23%)
or free online at
www.met.ie
Data analysis based on all
available data and is correct at
time of publication.
For more information or for data
enquires
e-mail: enq@met.ie
Data and graphics
, Met Éireann
2
DECEMBER 2014
76.3 mm. Ballyshannon (Cathleen’s Fall), Co
Donegal also reported its wettest December day
on the 22nd with 43.6 mm, its wettest December
day since 1966. Overall, a few stations located in
Leitrim, Donegal and Sligo reported their wettest
December since 1999, while Piltown (Kildalton
Agricultural College), Co Kilkenny and
Waterford (Tycor) had their driest December on
available record since 1975 with monthly rainfall
totals of 36.1 mm (36% of LTA) and 34.1 mm
(35% of LTA), respectively.
Monthly mean air temperatures were mainly on
or above their LTA in the western half of the
country. Differences from monthly mean LTAs
ranged from -0.7°C at Dublin (Merrion Square)
with a monthly mean of 6.0°C to 0.9°C at
Donegal stations of Finner and Ballyshannon
(Cathleen’s Fall) both with a mean temperature
of 6.5°C. The month’s highest maximum
temperatures were mainly on the 18th, 21st and
31st with the month’s highest temperature of
15.0°C reported at Mullagh (Carrowlagan), Co
Clare (on the 31st). Roche’s Point, Co Cork and
Littleton, Co Tipperary recorded maxima of
13.2°C and 14.0°C respectively, their highest
during September for seven years. Lowest air and
grass minimum temperatures were mainly
reported on the 28th and 29th, with the month’s
lowest air and grass temperatures both recorded
on the 29th at Thomastown (Mt Juliet), Co
Kilkenny with -7.5°C and -11.6°C, respectively.
Sunshine totals were variable across the country
with below average totals recorded in parts of
the Southwest and West. Percentage of LTA
values ranged from 48% at Sherkin Island, Co
Cork with 22.9 hours to 185% Dungarvan
(Carriglea), Co Waterford with 79.8 hours. The
month’s sunniest day was 7.3 hours recorded at
Cork Airport on the 2nd. The number of dull
days (days with less than 0.5 hours of sunshine) were up
to 20 at Sherkin Island, Co Cork and
Ballyshannon (Cathleen’s Fall), Co Donegal.
Wind and Elements
Monthly mean wind speeds ranged from 6.0 knots
(11 km/h) at Fermoy (Moore Park), Co Cork to 19.6
knots (36 km/h) at Malin Head, Co Donegal. Gale
force winds were reported on the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 8th,
9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 19th and 26th with
The sun rose over a standing stone near Baltray, Co Louth on the
morning of the winter solstice on December 21st. The winter solstice is
an astronomical phenomenon marking the shortest day and longest
night of the year, occurring in the northern hemisphere in December.
Weather conditions in nearby Ardee, Co Louth were reported to be
around 9°C with only 0.6 mm of rain in the subsequent 24 hours.
(Picture courtesy of Donal Black)
strong gale force winds reported between the 9th and
11th in Atlantic coastal areas. The month’s highest
10-minute mean wind speed was reported at Mace
Head, Co Galway on the 10th with 48 knots (89
km/h). The month’s highest gust was 69 knots (128
km/h) measured at both Malin Head on the 9th and
at Mace Head on the 10th. Six days (7th, 11th, 12th,
21st, 22nd and 27th) reported snow and eight days
reported instances of hail (6th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 12th,
21st, 22nd and 27th) mainly all in the Northwest,
West and Southwest. The number of days with air
frost ranged from zero at numerous locations to 15 at
both Horseleap, Co Offaly and Kilkenny (Greenshill)
while the number of days with ground frost ranged
from two at Belmullet to 26 at Edenderry (Ballinla),
Co Offaly.
SOIL
DECEMBER 2014
DAILY SOIL
MOISTURE
DEFICITS
&
SOIL
TEMPERATURES
3
MALIN HEAD
BELMULLET
KNOCK AIRPORT
BALLYHAISE
NEWPORT
MOUNTDILLON
CASEMENT AERODROME
MULLINGAR
DUBLIN AIRPORT
SHANNON AIRPORT
GURTEEN
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
FERMOY (MOORE PARK)
CORK AIRPORT
SHERKIN ISLAND
CARLOW (OAK PARK)
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
4
WIND & ELEMENTS
DECEMBER 2014
WIND (knots)
COUNTY
/ STATION
CO CARLOW
OAK PARK
CO CAVAN
BALLYHAISE
CO CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT
CO CORK
FERMOY (MOORE PARK)
SHERKIN ISLAND
ROCHE’S POINT
CORK AIRPORT
CO DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD
FINNER
CO DUBLIN
DUBLIN AIRPORT
CASEMENT AERODROME
CO GALWAY
MACE HEAD
ATHENRY
CO KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
CO MAYO
CLAREMORRIS
BELMULLET
NEWPORT
KNOCK AIRPORT
CO MEATH
DUNSANY (GRANGE)
CO ROSCOMMON
MOUNTDILLON
CO TIPPERARY
GURTEEN (AG COLLEGE)
CO WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR
CO WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
ELEMENTS (no.of days)
MEAN
SPEED
MAX. 10-MIN.
MEAN
DIR. SPEED DATE/HOUR
8.3
240° 26 10/21
240° 38 10/2104
0
2
5
7.8
230° 22
9/15
250° 41 10/1249
0
3
6
270° 31 11/03
230° 31 18/10
250° 47 10/1933
0
7
64
260°
310°
270°
300°
310°
260°
250°
280°
310°
310°
10.6
6.0
15.4
13.5
10.2
19
19
40
37
31
11/00
26/17
11/04
26/18
26/18
MAX. GUST
DIR. SPEED DATE/TIME
32
32
55
45
41
DAYS WITH
GALES
HOURS WITH
GUST > 34KNOTS
GUST > 34KNOTS
10/1548
11/0246
10/2347
26/1937
26/1726
0
0
0
4
1
0
15
11
7
131
54
22
10
6
26
17
260
161
9/1827
9/0920
1
0
11
12
72
87
19.6
14.8
260° 47 9/23
270° 43 10/17
270° 43 11/02
260° 69 9/2221
280° 67 11/0235
13.9
12.8
260° 35
200° 30
260° 49
200° 43
19.7
8.5
270° 48 10/23
280° 24 11/03
230° 24 18/09
270° 69 10/2345
270° 46 10/0650
7
0
22
7
260
37
12.3
270° 33 11/03
270° 52 11/0344
0
9
68
9.0
14.6
11.4
280°
260°
290°
310°
260°
260° 52 10/1119
250° 55 10/1151
280° 56 9/2238
0
2
0
6
15
12
46
154
86
250° 50 9/2201
270° 50 10/1101
0
9
69
260° 42
9/1649
0
5
12
9/19
9/10
30
35
33
33
33
11/00
11/01
10/23
11/00
10/11
9.7
250° 27
9/16
8.1
260° 23 10/12
250° 41 10/1244
0
3
9
9.8
260° 27
260° 44 10/2356
0
6
45
6.8
220° 19 22/04
230° 38
9/1603
0
1
1
10.4
220° 24 18/09
230° 24 22/12
220° 39 18/0719
220° 39 23/0638
0
6
33
11.0
9/17
CARLOW (OAK PARK)
<5
SNOW SNOW LYING HAIL THUNDER
FOG
1
0
3
0
1
1
0
0
0
3
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
8
BELMULLET
5 - 10
10 - 20
20 - 35
> 35
WIND SPEED
IN knots
PERCENTAGE FREQUENCY OF WIND DIRECTION
0
0
8
DECEMBER 2014
5
UPPER ATMOSPHERE
Upper Atmosphere wind and temperature readings are made at Valentia Observatory
twice a day by a radiosonde (a balloon with instruments attached). Shown below are daily
average wind speeds and temperatures at defined pressure levels, 850, 700, 500 and
300 hPa, corresponding approximately to heights of 1.5, 3, 6 and 10 km. Monthly wind
roses are also shown for each pressure level.
UPPER AIR WIND SPEED AND TEMPERATURE DECEMBER 2014
300 hPa
SPEED m/s
TEMPERATURE (°C)
300 hPa
500 hPa
SPEED m/s
TEMPERATURE (°C)
500 hPa
< 5 m/s
5 - 10 m/s
10 - 25 m/s
25 - 50 m/s
> 50 m/s
700 hPa
SPEED m/s
TEMPERATURE (°C)
700 hPa
850 hPa
SPEED m/s
TEMPERATURE (°C)
850 hPa
DAY OF MONTH
6
LABORATORY
DECEMBER 2014
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF PRECIPITATION AND AIR SAMPLES AT VALENTIA OBSERVATORY Acid rain occurs when
ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY
PRECIPITATION
275 435
PH AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON DRY DAYS (<0.2mm)
μScm-1
AIR
pollutants combine with
moisture in the air to form
sulphuric or nitric acid. pH
is the simplest way of
measuring the acidity of
precipitation. Usually pH of
7.00 is considered neutral
but this is not the case in
rainfall samples. Pure
water in the atmosphere
has an equilibrium pH
value of 5.65 at 20°C owing
to carbon dioxide in the air
dissolving to form carbonic
acid. Any value below pH
5.65 is considered acid
while any value above is
considered alkaline.
DATA SHOWN ARE INTERIM VALUES AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Conductivity measures the
total ion activity in the
rainfall, i.e. the higher the
conductivity the greater
the number of ions.
NO2-N
SO2-S
SO4-S
Sulphur dioxide and
sulphate in air contribute
to the formation of
sulphuric acid; nitrate in
air contributes to the
formation of nitric acid.
(μgs/m3)
6.1
(+0.8)
MEAN SOIL TEMPERATURES (°C) AT 0900 UTC
COUNTY/STATION
6.3
(+0.4)
MEAN 100 mm
SOIL TEMPERATURES (°C)
AT 0900 UTC
4.3
4.3
4.8
4.5
(+0.1)
(DIFFERENCE FROM
1981-2010
6.1
(+0.6)
LTAS IN BRACKETS)
7.8
(+1.1)
4.6
4.1
(-0.1)
5.3
(-0.3)
5.0
(-0.6)
-10/2
-10/-2
-6/0
-7/-3
-5/0
SOIL MOISTURE DEFICITS
-1/-3
-8/1
-6/2
(mm)
10TH OF MONTH/END OF
0/0
MONTH
3/-3
-2/-9
-7/-3
0 REPRESENTS FIELD CAPACITY
-10 SATURATION
CO CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK)
CO. CAVAN
BALLYHAISE
CO CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT
CARRON
CO CORK
ROCHE’S POINT
FERMOY (MOORE PARK)
CORK AIRPORT
SHERKIN ISLAND
BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)
CO DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD
CO DUBLIN
PHOENIX PARK
DUBLIN AIRPORT
CASEMENT AERODROME
CO KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
CO KILKENNY
THOMASTOWN (MT JULIET)
CO LIMERICK
MOUNT RUSSELL
CO MAYO
BELMULLET
STRAIDE
KNOCK AIRPORT
CO MEATH
WARRENSTOWN
DUNSANY (GRANGE)
CO TIPPERARY
GURTEEN (AG COLLEGE)
FETHARD (PARSONSHILL)
CO WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)
CO WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR
CO. WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
JFK PARK
CO WICKLOW
ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY)
100 mm 200 mm 300 mm
4.1
5.1
5.4
4.3
5.3
6.2
6.1
5.9
6.8
8.1
6.8
5.7
5.3
5.3
7.5
5.9
6.7
5.8
6.7
8.3
6.5
7.1
6.3
7.7
9.2
7.0
6.1
6.8
7.7
3.8
4.3
4.5
5.1
5.3
5.6
5.8
6.0
6.3
7.8
8.3
8.8
6.0
6.6
7.7
4.9
5.6
6.3
5.1
4.3
7.1
7.8
5.0
5.5
4.1
4.0
5.4
5.7
5.7
6.1
4.6
5.1
5.1
5.7
5.3
6.3
6.9
4.8
5.8
6.7
5.0
5.3
5.9
5.9
6.4
8.2
5.4
6.5
7.3
7
AGMET
DECEMBER 2014
RAINFALL
TEMPERATURE
(hours)
MEAN MIN.
DIFF. FROM AVERAGE
LOWEST MIN.
DATE
DAYS WITH AIR FROST
DEGREE DAYS > 4.4°C
DEGREE DAYS > 10.0°C
TOTAL NO. OF HOURS
% OF AVERAGE
8.4
8.9
9.1
8.8
0.6
2.5
2.8
2.0
4.5
5.7
6.0
5.4 -0.2
-1.1
-2.0
-1.9
-2.0
4
13
28
13
4
3
2
9
12
21
27
60
0
2
2
4
-1.2
-2.2
-2.1
-2.2
4 6
13 3
28 2
13 11
5.3
6.1
6.2
5.9
7.0
7.0
7.1
7.0
33.6
21.1
17.3
72.0
132
10 10
CO DONEGAL
1-10 87.9
10 10
GLENTIES HATCHERY 11-20 80.3
9 8
21-END 82.3
MONTH 250.5 141 29 28
8.8
8.4
7.6
8.2
2.3
3.0
2.5
2.6
5.6
5.7
5.1
5.4 0.2
0.9
-1.0
-3.8
-3.8
9
12
29
29
0
2
3
5
17
20
21
58
1
1
1
3
-1.4
-2.9
-6.9
-6.9
2 5
13 4
29 7
29 16
-
-
-
-
7 9.5
8 9.8
7 10.0
22 9.8
4.1
4.5
4.9
4.5
6.8
7.2
7.5
7.2 0.6
1.3
-0.6
-2.2
-2.2
3
13
28
28
0
1
2
3
26
31
40
97
1 0.1 3
3 -2.4 13
5 -3.9 28
9 -3.9 28
0
2
2
4
-
-
-
-
0.7
1.9
1.1
1.2
4.3
5.3
4.4
4.6 -0.3
-1.6
-2.2
-6.6
-6.6
4
13
29
29
2
3
4
9
11
20
21
52
1
2
2
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-2.3
-3.4
-4.5
-4.5
4
13
29
29
3
2
2
7
19
30
35
84
1
4
5
11
-5.5
-7.8
-7.9
-7.9
4 8
13 5
29 5
29 18
-
6.6
7.1
7.0
6.9
39.3
19.1
21.4
79.8
185
CO CORK
BALLINCURRIG
(PEAFIELD)
13.9
8
17.7
8
24.6
7
56.2 43 23
1-10
11-20
21-END
MONTH
MEAN DAILY
RAIN DAYS
PERIOD
% OF AVERAGE
STATION
AMOUNT
STATIONS
DAYS WITH GROUND
FROST
MEAN MAX.
6
4
6
16
AGROMETEOROLOGICAL
DATE
WET DAYS
MEAN 30CM AT 0900H
(°C)
MEAN 10CM AT 0900H
(mm)
SELECTED
SUNSHINE
LOWEST "GRASS-MIN."
10-DAY VALUES FOR
CO KERRY
ARDFERT
(LISCAHANE)
8
1-10 28.1
9
11-20 47.6
8
21-END 29.0
MONTH 104.7 80 25
CO MONAGHAN
CARRICKMACROSS
1-10
11-20
21-END
MONTH
17.6
7
22.8
7
27.2
7
67.6 72 21
5
2
6
13
CO WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN
(CARRIGLEA)
1-10
11-20
21-END
MONTH
7.6
6
18.3
6
19.7
8
45.6 36 20
3 9.7 1.1 5.4
6 10.2 3.1 6.7
5 10.4 3.3 6.9
14 10.1 2.5 6.3
CO WEXFORD
JFK PARK
1-10
11-20
21-END
MONTH
9.0
7
18.5
6
11.8
3
39.3 38 16
3
4
3
10
9.0
9.5
9.5
9.3
2.1
3.1
2.7
2.6
5.6
6.3
6.1
6.0 0.1
0.2
-2.0
-2.5
-2.5
8
13
29
29
0
2
2
4
17
25
28
71
0
2
2
5
-3.0
-4.2
-7.0
-7.0
2 6
13 3
29 6
29 15
5.1
5.6
5.3
5.3
8.8
7.9
7.8
8.2
31.4
16.4
19.7
67.5
131
1-10
11-20
21-END
MONTH
7.0
4
16.8
5
18.1
6
41.9 41 15
2
3
2
7
9.3
9.9
9.8
9.7
2.7
4.3
3.1
3.3
6.0
7.1
6.5
6.5 0.2
-0.1
0.6
-3.6
-3.6
3
13
30
29
1
0
3
4
20
31
32
83
1
4
5
11
-5.9
-4.7
-10.1
-10.1
3 7
13 5
29 8
29 20
5.1
5.7
5.5
5.4
7.6
7.1
7.1
7.3
34.3
23.4
28.1
85.8
124
CO WICKLOW
ASHFORD
(CRONYKEERY)
CO CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK)
CO CAVAN
BALLYHAISE
CO CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT
CO CORK
CORK AIRPORT
CO DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD
CO DUBLIN
DUBLIN AIRPORT
CASEMENT AERODROME
CO KERRY
VALENTIA OBS.
CO MAYO
BELMULLET
KNOCK AIRPORT
CO TIPPERARY
GURTEEN(AG.COLLEGE)
CO WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR
CO WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
0.0
GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION
P.E. (PENMAN)
STATION /COUNTY
7.8
8.6
7.6
8.0
TOTAL (mm)
STATION /COUNTY
(MJ/m2)
1ST-10TH
21ST-END
TOTAL
19.37
24.63
71.00
18.96
14.37
18.49
51.82
CO CORK
ROCHE’S POINT*
34.83
25.13
22.93
82.89
CO DONEGAL
MALIN HEAD*
11.01
9.41
14.13
34.55
CO DUBLIN
DUBLIN AIRPORT*
23.31
18.53
21.33
63.17
CO KERRY
VALENTIA OBS.*
20.93
14.63
20.28
55.84
CO MAYO
BELMULLET*
14.97
10.21
13.76
38.94
CO TIPPERARY
GURTEEN(AG.COLLEGE)*
21.10
15.88
20.70
57.68
CO WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR*
21.01
15.98
20.92
57.91
CO WEXFORD
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE*
30.33
21.08
21.50
72.91
CO CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK)*
27.00
CO CAVAN
BALLYHAISE*
15
10
10
9
24
13
13
23
26
10
11
8
13
11TH-20TH
-
MONTHLY EVAPORATION (mm)
FROM CLASS A PAN
MONTHLY
COUNTY/ STATION
RAINFALL
(mm)
CO KERRY
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY 143.7
CO KERRY
NORTH KERRY LANDFILL
N/A
CO MAYO
NEWPORT (FURNACE)
282.7
CO OFFALY
DERRYGREENAGH
109.2
CO WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA) 45.6
CO WEXFORD
JFK PARK
39.3
MONTHLY
EVAPORATION
(mm)
30.1
N/A
0.1
3.4
7.9
12.5
GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION VALUES FOR STATIONS MARKED
*
*
ARE PROVISIONAL
ARE FROM NEW AUTOSOL INSTRUMENTS
RAINFALL VALUES MARKED
*
ARE ESTIMATED.
8
DAILY WEATHER
DECEMBER 2014
Monday 1st: Rain and drizzle spread to most areas through the afternoon,
but the Southeast remained dry. There was a clearance in the West through
the evening and night, which spread to the rest of the country later in the
period. Winds were light to moderate, westerly.
Tuesday 9th: Scattered showers overnight, with strong and gusty
southwesterly winds. There was rain and showers in the West during the
morning, but dry and cloudy conditions in the East. There was rain in
most areas. Winds were strong, southwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 9.1 mm at Creeslough (Brockagh), Castle Dargan Golf
Club
Temperature: Lowest max. 5.9°C at Dun Laoghaire, highest max. 11.5°C at Dungarvan
(Carriglea). Lowest min. 0.4°C at Athenry, highest min. 8.8°C at Mace Head
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 4.7 hours at Arklow (Ballyrichard Hse)
Rainfall: 0.0 mm at Ventry to 26.0 mm at Fintown (Kingarrow)
Temperature: Lowest max. 10.2°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns (Nealstown), highest max. 13.4°C at
Dublin (Glasnevin). Lowest min. -0.5°C at Littleton, highest min. 6.6°C at Valentia Obs
Sunshine: Nil at all locations
Tuesday 2nd: It was cold overnight with frost in the Midlands and East.
Some showers, mainly near north and west coasts, but it was a mostly dry
day. The temperatures were around average for December. Winds were
light to moderate, northerly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 5.0 mm at Galtee Mtns (Skeheenarinky)
Temperature: Lowest max. 5.3°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns (Nealstown), highest max. 10.0°C at
Dooks. Lowest min. -2.0°C at Dunsany, highest min. 6.6°C at Valentia Obs
Sunshine: 2.6 hours at Valentia Obs to 7.3 hours at Cork Apt
Wednesday 3rd: Temperatures were highest near the west coast but
remained low in the Midlands and East. There were a few light showers on
the west coast. Most areas saw some brief sunny spells but generally it
remained overcast. Winds were light, variable in direction.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 6.9 mm at Costelloe Fishery
Temperature: Lowest max. 4.3°C at Lullymore Nature Centre, highest max. 10.6°C at
Newport. Lowest min. -4.1°C at Thomastown (Mt Juliet), highest min. 6.8°C at Malin Head
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 6.0 hours at Clonroche (Knoxtown)
Thursday 4th: Light rain spread in off the Atlantic in the afternoon,
pushing eastwards through the evening. The temperatures were around
average. Winds were light to moderate and variable in direction.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 14.3 mm at Tralee (Lisaboula)
Temperature: Lowest max. 4.5°C at (Dunmoe-Craigs Lane), Athy (Chanterlands), highest
max. 10.4°C at Dooks. Lowest min. -4.0°C at Thomastown (Mt Juliet), highest min. 6.2°C at
Malin Head
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 6.0 hours at Cork Apt
Friday 5th: Showers developed on the north and west coasts during the
morning, becoming more frequent and spreading inland through the
afternoon. Mostly dry today except for the odd isolated shower. Winds
were moderate to fresh, northwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 13.0 mm at Tralee (Lisaboula)
Temperature: Lowest max. 5.2°C at Dunmoe (Craigs Lane), highest max. 10.6°C at
Belmullet. Lowest min. -3.0°C at Derrygreenagh, Castleconnell, highest min. 6.6°C at
Valentia Obs
Sunshine: 1.5 hours at Dublin (Glasnevin) to 6.1 hours at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve,
Ballincurrig (Peafield)
Saturday 6th: Mainly dry overnight, just some patchy drizzle in places and
some mist also. The morning continued mainly dry with some sunny
periods. The rain and drizzle spread into the East and continued for the
rest of the day. Winds were fresh to strong, southwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 39.9 mm at Fintown (Kingarrow)
Temperature: Lowest max. 8.6°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns (Nealstown), highest max. 11.6°C at
Sherkin Island. Lowest min. -2.5°C at Castleconnell, highest min. 7.4°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 2.0 hours at Cork Apt
Sunday 7th: Showers through the day in most places. It was mostly dry
further East and South, for much of the day, but the showers spread to
these areas during the evening. It was a generally cold day. Winds were
moderate to fresh, westerly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 24.9 mm at Derrypark
Temperature: Lowest max. 4.2°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 10.0°C at Mullagh
(Carrowlagan). Lowest min. -1.4°C at Carrickmacross (Dunoge), highest min. 7.4°C at
Sherkin Island
Sunshine: 0.5 hours at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall) to 6.0 hours at Dungarvan (Carriglea),
Dublin Apt, Arklow (Ballyrichard Hse)
Monday 8th: The day was cold, windy and showery but also bright. Many
of the showers were heavy and turned wintry on the higher ground. Winds
were moderate to fresh, southwest to northwest.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 16.1 mm at Dunglow
Temperature: Lowest max. 7.6°C at Ardee (Boharnamoe), highest max. 12.9°C at Adare
Manor. Lowest min. -1.5°C at Castleconnell, highest min. 5.0°C at Sherkin Island, Mullagh
(Carrowlagan)
Sunshine: 1.6 hours at Sherkin Island, Belmullet to 6.0 hours at Dublin Apt
Wednesday 10th: A very windy and cold day with squally showers, with
heavy thundery downpours including hail, and some sleet and snow on
high ground. Winds were strong to gale, southwesterly.
Rainfall: 0.0 mm at Foulkesmills (Longraigue) to 26.7 mm at Emyvale
Temperature: Lowest max. 5.5°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 9.7°C at Sherkin Island. Lowest
min. 0.8°C at Carrickmacross (Dunoge), highest min. 6.8°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: 0.2 hours at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall) to 5.0 hours at Arklow (Ballyrichard
Hse)
Thursday 11th: Another very windy and cold, mainly cloudy day, with rain
and heavy showers, some of hail, and wintry showers over high ground,
some thunderstorms also. Winds were fresh, southwesterly.
Rainfall: 1.3 mm at Dunglow to 45.0 mm at Cloghane
Temperature: Lowest max. 3.8°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 10.5°C at Sherkin Island.
Lowest min. -0.3°C at Carrickmacross (Dunoge), highest min. 7.0°C at Sherkin Island, Dooks
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 0.5 hours at JFK Park
Friday 12th: Widespread rain cleared southeastwards in the early part of
the night. It became cold and frost developed inland. An organised band of
showers crossed the country in the late afternoon. It was a cold day, sunny
in the South and East, progressively cloudier further North and West.
Winds were moderate to fresh, southwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 17.5 mm at Dereen
Temperature: Lowest max. 3.0°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns (Nealstown), highest max. 10.1°C at
Sherkin Island. Lowest min. -3.0°C at Castleconnell, highest min. 3.8°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: 0.4 hours at Newport (Furnace) to 6.5 hours at Dublin Apt
Saturday 13th: Cold overnight with frost. Scattered showers through the
day, it was dry further East. Light northwesterly winds backed southwest
and strengthened from afternoon on. Some sunshine in the South and
East, otherwise mostly cloudy. Winds were generally moderate to fresh,
southwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 18.2 mm at Mulrany (Doughbeg)
Temperature: Lowest max. 6.3°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns (Nealstown), Fethard (Parsonshill),
highest max. 10.5°C at Mullagh (Carrowlagan). Lowest min. -4.7°C at Thomastown (Mt
Juliet), highest min. 3.5°C at Belmullet
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 5.1 hours at Clonroche (Knoxtown)
Sunday 14th: Some patchy rain and drizzle overnight with heavier showers
in places. Rain and drizzle in places during the morning and winds
continued strong and gusty. Rain cleared eastwards during afternoon, but
some showers developed in places, some heavy. Winds were fresh to
strong, southwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 16.0 mm at Derrypark
Temperature: Lowest max. 7.4°C at Knock Apt, Belderrig, highest max. 11.4°C at Roches Pt.
Lowest min. -4.0°C at Thomastown (Mt Juliet), Castleconnell, highest min. 5.6°C at Belmullet
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 1.3 hours at Dungarvan (Carriglea)
Monday 15th: Rain in the south cleared quickly during the early hours of
the morning. It was cold and frosty in the North. There were scattered
light showers, but overall it was largely dry for the rest of the day. Some
sunshine, the best of it in the East. Winds were moderate, southwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 18.1 mm at Inagh (Mt Callan)
Temperature: Lowest max. 6.1°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 10.9°C at Valentia Obs. Lowest
min. 0.4°C at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, highest min. 8.3°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: Nil at Edenderry (Ballinla) to 3.6 hours at Ashford (Cronykeery)
Tuesday 16th: Some showers in the West overnight, with a slight ground
frost in places. Rain became widespread during the afternoon, with some
heavy falls in places. The rain cleared the West during evening, but still wet
in the East. Winds were moderate to strong, southwesterly.
Rainfall: 1.7 mm at Kenmare to 49.8 mm at Lough Glencar
Temperature: Lowest max. 9.8°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 13.5°C at Killarney (Muckross
Hse). Lowest min. -0.6°C at Athenry, highest min. 6.9°C at Mace Head
Sunshine: Nil at all locations
DECEMBER 2014
DAILY WEATHER
Wednesday 17th: Some rain and drizzle overnight in many areas, with mist
in places. The day was damp with widespread rain and drizzle in most areas
and mist persisted in places. Winds were fresh to strong, southwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 38.5 mm at Drummin Tawnyard
Temperature: Lowest max. 10.3°C at Malin Head, highest max. 14.0°C at Waterford (Tycor),
Killarney (Muckross Hse), Piltown (Kildalton Agr Col). Lowest min. 1.5°C at Cavan
(Drumconnick), highest min. 8.7°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 0.3 hours at Ashford (Cronykeery)
Thursday 18th: There was rain and drizzle, heavy at times, which cleared
slowly southeastwards, followed by scattered showers from the Northwest,
some heavy. A very cloudy day overall. Winds were strong, southwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 37.0 mm at Kenmare
Temperature: Lowest max. 8.8°C at Malin Head, highest max. 14.4°C at Piltown (Kildalton Agr
Col). Lowest min. 6.0°C at Sligo Airport, highest min. 12.0°C at Killarney (Muckross Hse),
Cloyne (Lisanley)
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 3.3 hours at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
Friday 19th: A cold and windy day, windier in the Northwest, with some
heavy wintery showers, some of hail, with more isolated showers elsewhere.
Showers cleared towards evening time with the northwesterly winds also
easing. Winds were fresh to strong, southwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 14.4 mm at Falcarragh (Lough Altan)
Temperature: Lowest max. 6.5°C at Fethard (Parsonshill), highest max. 10.9°C at Sligo Apt.
Lowest min. 2.0°C at Cork Apt, highest min. 7.7°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: 0.3 hours at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall) to 6.0 hours at Ashford (Cronykeery)
Saturday 20th: Some scattered showers in the western half of the country
overnight. They gradually died out as the day progressed. Good sunny
breaks in the East, cloudier further West. Winds were fresh to strong,
southwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 17.4 mm at Swanlinbar
Temperature: Lowest max. 9.2°C at Casement, Dun Laoghaire, highest max. 14.0°C at Mallow
(Spa Hse). Lowest min. 2.4°C at Ballincurrig (Peafield), highest min. 7.5°C at Sherkin Island,
Mullagh (Carrowlagan), Sherkin Island
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 5.4 hours at Dublin Apt
Sunday 21st: Dry overnight and for much of the day, rain began to spread
into the Northwest during the evening, mostly light but with some heavier
pockets mixed in. Winds were fresh to strong, southwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 56.6 mm at Maam Valley
Temperature: Lowest max. 10.8°C at Newport, Slieve Bloom Mtns (Nealstown), highest max.
14.1°C at Warrenstown, Ashford (Cronykeery). Lowest min. 2.7°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh
WW), highest min. 8.3°C at Ballycroy (Knockmoyleen)
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 0.4 hours at Arklow (Ballyrichard Hse) 0.4 hours at
Shannon Apt
Monday 22nd: It was a wet and windy day across most of the country.
Rain and drizzle continued in most areas in the evening and night, with mist
in places also, however very mild throughout. Winds were strong,
southwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 76.3 mm at Drummin (Tawnyard)
Temperature: Lowest max. 9.1°C at Glenties Hatchery, highest max. 14.5°C at Mullagh
(Carrowlagan). Lowest min. 4.5°C at Raphoe (Tops), highest min. 11.5°C at Dooks
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 0.1 hours at Dungarvan (Carriglea)
Tuesday 23rd: Cloudy overnight with some patchy rain and drizzle in
places. This became widespread during the morning with some heavy rain
in parts of the Northwest. The rain and drizzle cleared most areas by late
evening. Winds were fresh to strong, southwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 17.2 mm at Glencar (Dreenagh)
Temperature: Lowest max. 7.6°C at Glenties Hatchery, highest max. 13.6°C at Dublin
(Glasnevin). Lowest min. 5.9°C at Mallow (Spa Hse), highest min. 11.2°C at Dublin
(Glasnevin)
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 2.2 hours at Dublin (Glasnevin)
Wednesday 24th: Some sunny spells but occasional cloudy periods, with a
few passing rain and hail showers, these mainly in parts of the North and
West. Winds were fresh to strong, westerly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 14.8 mm at Derrypark
Temperature: Lowest max. 6.0°C at Slieve Bloom Mtns (Nealstown), highest max. 12.5°C at
Sherkin Island. Lowest min. 0.2°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh WW), highest min. 7.1°C at
Sherkin Island
Sunshine: 1.4 hours at Ballyshannon (Cathleen's Fall), Sherkin Island to 6.2 hours at Cork
Apt
9
Thursday 25th: Mostly dry and clear overnight, just some patchy rain in
parts of the Southwest. The day was mostly dry with clear spells. Some
ground frost developed in places after dark. Winds were light to moderate,
southerly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 32.2 mm at Skibereen (Water Treatment Plant)
Temperature: Lowest max. 4.8°C at Dunsany, highest max. 12.5°C at Dooks. Lowest min.
-2.0°C at Dunmoe (Craigs Lane), highest min. 7.0°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: Nil at Sherkin Island to 5.8 hours at Dungarvan (Carriglea)
Friday 26th: A rainy and wet day in the morning for most parts, drier in
the North and West. Some showers of hail and sleet in places too, with
snow on higher ground. A clearance eastwards in the evening with a drop
in temperatures towards nightfall. Winds were moderate, southerly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 25.7 mm at Ballynahinch
Temperature: Lowest max. 3.1°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 12.5°C at Mullagh
(Carrowlagan), Killarney (Muckross Hse), Dooks. Lowest min. -0.9°C at Thomastown (Mt
Juliet), highest min. 6.0°C at Mullagh (Carrowlagan)
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 0.3 hours at Belmullet
Saturday 27th: Showers of rain, hail, sleet and snow particularly in the
West and North, more isolated showers to the East. Showers cleared later
on with temperatures dropping towards nightfall bringing frost to most
areas. It was sunniest in the East. Winds were moderate, northwesterly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 15.3 mm at Delvin Castle
Temperature: Lowest max. 2.9°C at Knock Apt, highest max. 9.3°C at Waterford (Tycor).
Lowest min. -2.0°C at Dunmoe (Craigs Lane), highest min. 7.0°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: Nil at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve to 5.1 hours at Ashford (Cronykeery)
Sunday 28th: Cold and frosty overnight, the day was bright and cold.
Temperatures dropped quickly after dark and frost returned. Winds were
light, variable in direction.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 7.2 mm at Tralee (Lisaboula)
Temperature: Lowest max. 1.0°C at Cavan (Drumconnick), highest max. 8.9°C at Sherkin
Island. Lowest min. -4.7°C at Athenry, highest min. 3.5°C at Malin Head
Sunshine: 2.1 hours at Sherkin Island to 6.2 hours at Cork Apt
Monday 29th: Very cold with severe frost inland overnight, it remained
generally cold all day and the frost persisted in many places. It was milder
and cloudy in the South and West but sunny elsewhere. Winds were light to
moderate, variable in direction.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 9.7 mm at Macroom (Renaniree)
Temperature: Lowest max. 2.2°C at Carrickmacross (Dunoge), highest max. 10.1°C at
Valentia Obs. Lowest min. -7.5°C at Thomastown (Mt Juliet), highest min. 2.5°C at Ballycroy
(Knockmoyleen)
Sunshine: Nil at Sherkin Island to 6.5 hours at Dublin Apt
Tuesday 30th: Dry overnight with some ground frost in places. The day
was dry, with some good sunshine in places. Winds were fresh to strong,
southerly.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 35.4 mm at Cloone Lake (Caragh River Area)
Temperature: Lowest max. 8.2°C at Dundalk (Annaskeagh WW), highest max. 12.4°C at
Dooks. Lowest min. -6.9°C at Thomastown (Mt Juliet), highest min. 8.7°C at Sherkin Island
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 4.4 hours at Dublin Apt
Wednesday 31st: Some patchy rain and drizzle in the West during the
morning, but elsewhere it remained dry. There was a lot of dry weather
through afternoon; but some rain in the South and East by late afternoon.
It was mostly dry elsewhere. Winds were fresh to strong, south to
southwest.
Rainfall: Nil at numerous locations to 50.0 mm at Leenane (Glanagimla)
Temperature: Lowest max. 10.0°C at Raphoe (Tops), Craggaunowen, highest max. 15.0°C at
Mullagh (Carrowlagan). Lowest min. -1.9°C at Mt Dillon, highest min. 9.8°C at Valentia Obs
Sunshine: Nil at numerous locations to 1.9 hours at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
10
RAINFALL
VARIABLE RAINFALL WITH NEARLY
DOUBLE THE LTA IN SOME
EASTERN PARTS
Percentage of Long-Term Average
(LTA) values were variable with
mainly below LTA values in parts of
the South, Southeast, East and
Midlands. Percentage of average
values ranged from 30% at
Glenmalure (Cloghernagh), Co
Wicklow with 61.4 mm to 191% at
Falcarragh (Lough Altan), Co
Donegal with 347.7 mm. Monthly
rainfall totals ranged from 31.2 mm at
Bannow, Co Wexford (34% of LTA),
its driest December since the station
opened in 1997 to 484.5 mm at
Drummin (Tawnyard), Co Mayo,
where 76.3 mm fell on the 22nd as
the month’s wettest day. The heaviest
daily rainfall was recorded in
Donegal, Mayo and Galway on the
21st and 22nd, with Ballyshannon
(Cathleen’s Fall), Co Donegal
reporting its wettest December day
(on the 22nd) since 1966 with
43.6 mm. Overall, a few stations
located in Leitrim, Donegal and Sligo
reported their wettest December
since 1999, while Piltown (Kildalton
Agricultural College), Co Kilkenny
and Waterford (Tycor) had their driest
December on available record since
1975 with monthly rainfall totals of
36.1 mm (36% of LTA) and 34.1 mm
(35% of LTA), respectively. Nearly a
tenth of other stations mainly located
in the Midlands, South, Southeast and
East reported their driest December
in 10 to 27 years.
The number of wet days (days with
1mm or more rainfall) ranged from six
at Bannow, Co Wexford to 31 days
(every day reported as a wet day) at
both Ballymote (Rathmullen), Co
Sligo and Banteer (Glensouth), Co
Cork.
DECEMBER 2014
TOTAL
COUNTY/ STATION
CO CARLOW
CARLOW (OAK PARK)
CO CAVAN
BALLYHAISE
CO CLARE
CARRON
SHANNON AIRPORT
CO CORK
BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)
CORK AIRPORT
FERMOY (MOORE PARK)
ROCHE’S POINT
SHERKIN ISLAND
CO DONEGAL
BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL)
GLENTIES HATCHERY
MALIN HEAD
CO DUBLIN
CASEMENT AERODROME
DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE)
DUBLIN AIRPORT
DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK)
CO GALWAY
MAAM VALLEY
CO KERRY
ARDFERT (LISCAHANE)
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
CO KILKENNY
THOMASTOWN (MT. JULIET)
CO LIMERICK
MOUNT RUSSELL
CO MAYO
BELMULLET
DELPHI LODGE
KNOCK AIRPORT
STRAIDE
CO MEATH
WARRENSTOWN
CO MONAGHAN
CARRICKMACROSS (DUNOGE)
CO OFFALY
DERRYGREENAGH
CO ROSCOMMON
MOUNTDILLON
CO SLIGO
ARDTARMON
CO TIPPERARY
FETHARD (PARSONSHILL)
GURTEEN (AG.COLLEGE)
CO WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)
WATERFORD (TYCOR)
CO WESTMEATH
MULLINGAR
CO WEXFORD
CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN)
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
CO WICKLOW
ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY)
%
OF
AMOUNT
1981-2010
(mm)
AVERAGE
NUMBER OF
MOST IN
A DAY
RAINDAYS WETDAYS
/ DATE
(>0.2mm)
(>1mm)
48.8
58
10.1
11
17
12
95.2
93
13.6
16
26
17
269.7
114.5
153
110
34.3
20.0
16
11
29
26
26
20
56.2
61.1
60.0
47.7
67.6
43
46
58
48
52
8.8
9.4
8.3
13.6
15.8
25
25
11
25
25
23
23
24
21
24
16
17
16
11
16
230.7
250.5
151.8
190
141
130
43.6
26.0
20.8
22
16
21
28
29
29
24
28
25
64.6
51.1
56.2
65.5
85
75
77
85
12.8
14.8
14.0
14.3
11,16
26
26
26
19
15
17
18
12
8
11
11
454.8
149
65.6
22
29
27
104.7
143.7
80
87
13.1
17.0
11
25
25
29
22
25
38.7
43
8.5
11
16
10
97.1
81
14.4
11
25
21
144.3
423.9
173.6
152.5
105
123
112
17.0
42.1
18.9
14.5
22
31
16
21
30
29
28
28
26
27
25
23
81.5
96
13.7
16
19
15
67.6
72
14.6
16
21
13
109.2
121
18.5
16
21
15
107.9
98
16.6* 16
24*
18*
190.9
171
30.3* 22
28*
25*
57.6
100.1
63
109
9.7
24.0
11
11
23
24
14
19
45.6
34.1
36
35
7.1
5.9
11
11
20
17
14
7
104.8
111
14.7
16
23
17
47.6
43.7
40
8.7
9.6
11
11
19
20
13
10
41.9
41
14.3
26
15
7
* ESTIMATED DATA USED IN CALCULATION. TABLE REPRESENTS DATA FROM A SMALL SELECTION OF RAINFALL STATIONS. ALL DATA IS 09-09 HR
11
RAINFALL
DECEMBER 2014
TOTAL RAINFALL (mm)
0 - 100 mm
100 - 200 mm
200 - 300 mm
300 - 400 mm
400 - 500 mm
500 - 600 mm
PERCENTAGE OF NORMAL RAINFALL
(1981-2010 NORMALS)
0 - 25%
25 - 50%
50 - 75%
75 - 100%
100 - 125%
125 - 150%
150 - 175%
175 - 200%
DAILY 0901-0900hr RAINFALL VALUES (mm)
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
DUBLIN AIRPORT
BELMULLET
12
TEMPERATURE
DECEMBER 2014
MEAN TEMPERTURES MAINLY ABOVE AVERAGE
IN THE WESTERN HALF OF COUNTRY
Monthly mean air temperatures were mainly on or
above their Long-Term Average (LTA) in the western
half of the country. Differences from monthly LTA
ranged from -0.7°C at Dublin (Merrion Square) with a
monthly mean of 6.0°C to 0.9°C at Donegal stations
of Finner and Ballyshannon (Cathleen’s Fall) both
with a mean temperature of 6.5°C. December mean
temperatures ranged from 4.5°C (on average) at Slieve
Bloom Mtns (Nealstown), Co Laois to 8.5°C (0.6°C
from LTA) at Sherkin Island, Co Cork.
The majority of monthly mean air maximum
temperatures (average of highest daily maxima) were
above their LTA as much as 0.7°C, with exception of
some places in the East and Midlands which were
below LTA of around -0.5°C. Monthly highest
maximum temperatures were mainly on the 18th, 21st
and 31st and ranged from 11.2°C at Slieve Bloom
Mountains, Co Laois (on the 18th) to 15.0°C at
Mullagh (Carrowlagan), Co Clare (on the 31st).
Roche’s Point, Co Cork and Littleton, Co Tipperary
recorded maxima of 13.2°C and 14.0°C respectively,
their highest for December in seven years. The
majority of mean air minimum temperatures were
above LTA, with over 1°C above normal reported in
parts of the West and Northwest. However in parts of
the East, differences from mean minima were as much
as -1.0°C below what is expected fot the time of year.
-1.0 to -0.5°C
-0.5 to 0.0°C
0.0 to 0.5°C
0.5 to 1.0°C
1.0 to 1.5°C
MEAN TEMPERATURE (°C)
(DIFFERENCE FROM 1981-2010 LTAS)
Lowest air and grass minimum temperatures were
mainly reported on the 28th and 29th, with lowest air
temperatures ranging from -7.5°C at Thomastown (Mt
Juliet), Co Kilkenny to 1.9°C at Roche’s Point (both
on the 29th). Thomastown also reported the lowest
grass minimum on this date with -11.6°C, equalling its
fourth lowest December grass minimum since the
station opened in 1997.
HOURLY TEMPERATURES DECEMBER 2014
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
TEMPERATURE (°C)
DUBLIN AIRPORT
BELMULLET
DAY OF MONTH
COUNTY/ STATION
13
TEMPERATURE
DECEMBER 2014
MEAN
MEAN
DIFFERENCE
FROM
1981-2010
MAX.
MIN.
MEAN AVERAGE
CO CARLOW
8.7
CARLOW (OAK PARK)
CO CAVAN
7.7
BALLYHAISE
CO CLARE
8.7
CARRON
9.5
SHANNON AIRPORT
CO CORK
8.8
BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)
9.0
CORK AIRPORT
9.4
FERMOY (MOORE PARK)
9.9
ROCHE’S POINT
10.4
SHERKIN ISLAND
CO DONEGAL
BALLYSHANNON(CATHLEEN'S FALL) 8.9
8.2
GLENTIES HATCHERY
8.7
MALIN HEAD
CO DUBLIN
7.9
CASEMENT AERODROME
8.5
DUBLIN (MERRION SQUARE)
8.0
DUBLIN AIRPORT
8.1
DUBLIN (PHOENIX PARK)
CO GALWAY
9.9
MAAM VALLEY
CO KERRY
9.8
ARDFERT (LISCAHANE)
10.4
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
CO KILKENNY
9.3
THOMASTOWN (MT. JULIET)
CO LIMERICK
9.1
MOUNTRUSSELL
CO MAYO
9.5
BELMULLET
9.9
DELPHI LODGE
7.3
KNOCK AIRPORT
8.9
STRAIDE
CO MEATH
8.0
WARRENSTOWN
CO MONAGHAN
8.0
CARRICKMACROSS (DUNOGE)
CO OFFALY
8.1
DERRYGREENAGH
CO ROSCOMMON
8.2
MOUNTDILLON
CO SLIGO
9.1
ARDTARMON
CO TIPPERARY
8.1
FETHARD (PARSONSHILL)
8.4
GURTEEN (AG.COLLEGE)
CO WATERFORD
10.1
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)
9.9
WATERFORD (TYCOR)
CO WESTMEATH
7.7
MULLINGAR
CO WEXFORD
8.9
CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN)
9.0
JOHNSTOWN CASTLE
CO WICKLOW
9.7
ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY)
HIGHEST
LOWEST
LOWEST
MAX./DATE
MIN./DATE
GRASS MIN./DATE
DAYS WITH FROST
AIR
GROUND
2.1
5.4
-0.4
13.5 18
-5.3 29
-10.2 29
7
17
2.1
4.9
-0.2
12.1 18
-6.2 29
-8.7 29
8
18
3.3
3.8
6.0
6.6
0.6
0.3
11.9 18
13.5 31
-0.6 29
-1.8 29
-7.5 2
-5.2 28
3
3
14
14
2.0
3.6
2.1
5.2
6.6
5.4
6.3
5.7
7.5
8.5
-0.2
0.2
-0.1
0.1
0.6
12.5
12.4
14.0
13.2
12.2
-2.0
-0.2
-3.7
1.9
1.6
-2.2 13
-4.4 4
-5.9 29
-2.1 4
-4.9 13
9
1
11
0
0
11
15
18
6
5
4.1
2.6
4.6
6.5
5.4
6.6
0.9
0.2
0.2
-6.9 29
-4.1 29
2
5
0
16
3
2.2
3.5
2.2
2.2
5.1
6.0
5.1
5.2
-0.3
-0.7
-0.5
-0.1
4.4
7.1
0.5
13.2 21,31
4.5
6.2
7.2
8.3
0.6
0.5
1.5
5.4
3.6
31
18
18
17
9
13
28
29
13,28
28
13.3 21
12.4 21
11.5 21
-1.4 28
-3.8 29
0.6 29
12.8
13.2
13.2
13.2
-4.8
-2.8
-3.9
-3.9
21
21
21
21
19
-9.7 29
-7.7 28*
7
3
6
7
-1.2 29
-5.3 29
1
7
13.2 31
13.0 31
-2.2 28
0.5 29
-3.9 28
-3.8 29
3
0
4
5
0.0
13.9 22
-7.5 29
-11.6 29
11
19
6.4
0.5
12.8 21
-1.8 28
-6.8 28
4
11
5.2
5.1
2.2
3.0
7.4
7.5
4.8
6.0
0.7
0.5
0.5
0.7
12.3
12.9
11.5
12.9
0.6
-2.5
-3.0
-3.5
-3.9
-5.0
-4.7
-8.5
29
29
28
29
0
2
4
7
2
7
15
18
1.8
4.9
-0.2
14.1 21
-5.9 29
-9.9 29
8
24
1.2
4.6
-0.3
13.0 18
-6.6 29
1.6
4.8
0.1
12.2 18,20
-4.4 29
-6.3 29
9
22
2.2
5.2
0.2
12.5 18
-5.9 29
-7.3 29*
5
12*
n/a
n/a
n/a
13.1
2.4
2.2
5.3
5.3
0.3
-0.5
12.3 18,22
12.6 21
-2.4 28
-4.4 28
2.5
3.4
6.3
6.6
0.0
0.2
13.5 18,23
14.0 17
1.4
4.6
-0.1
2.4
3.7
5.6
6.3
0.3
-0.1
3.3
6.5
0.2
31
31
21
21
9
29
29
29
29,30
29
28
29
29
14
24*
9
n/a
8
-3.9 28
-9.4 28
7
7
14
18
-4.5 29
-2.7 29
-7.9 29
7
4
18
12.2 18
-6.9 29
-10.4 29
9
21
13.0 18,22
11.8 17
-5.3 29
-0.1 13,29
-8.4 29
-7.2 29
7
2
17
15
14.1 21
-3.6 29,30
-10.1 29
4
20
* PARTIAL DATA USED IN CALCULATION. TABLE REPRESENTS DATA FROM A SMALL SELECTION OF STATIONS. ALL DATA IS 09-09 HR
n/a n/a
-9.6 29
-5.2 28
SUNSHINE
14
DECEMBER 2014
SUNNIEST CONDITIONS IN THE
COUNTY/ STATION
DAILY MEAN
(HOURS/DAY)
% OF
DULL
1981-2010
DAYS
LTA
(<0.5 HRS)
SOUTHEAST AND EAST
MOST IN
A
DAY/DATE
CO CLARE
SHANNON AIRPORT
1.62
111
15
7.0
2
BALLINCURRIG (PEAFIELD)
2.32
132
12
6.7
2
CORK AIRPORT
2.28
134
14
7.3
2
SHERKIN ISLAND
0.74
48
20
5.0
2
0.90
83
20
4.7
29
CASEMENT AERODROME
1.89
122
14
6.8
2
DUBLIN (GLASNEVIN)
1.73
118
13
4.6
2
DUBLIN AIRPORT
2.64
156
10
7.0
2
CO CORK
CO DONEGAL
BALLYSHANNON (CATHLEEN'S FALL)
CO DUBLIN
CO KERRY
ARDFERT (LISCAHANE)
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
-----------not available------------1.07
82
18
5.9
28
CO OFFALY
EDENDERRY (BALLINLA)
-----------not available-------------
Sunshine totals were variable across the
country with below average totals recorded in
parts of the Southwest and West. Percentage
of LTA values were lowest at Sherkin Island
Co Cork with 48% and 22.9 hours, its fourth
dullest December since the station opened in
1974. The lowest monthly sunshine was at
Belmullet, Co Mayo where 21.9 hours (57% of
LTA) was recorded, its dullest December
since 1999, its sixth dullest since records
began in 1956. The highest percentage of
LTA was 185% at Dungarvan (Carriglea), Co
Waterford with 79.8 hours. The month’s
highest sunshine total was recorded at
Ashford (Cronykeery), Co Wicklow with 85.8
hours (124% of LTA). The month’s sunniest
day was 7.3 hours recorded at Cork Airport
on the 2nd.
Global solar radiation LTA values ranged
from 82% at Belmullet to 113% at Dublin
Airport.
CO MAYO
BELMULLET
0.71
57
17
3.8
2
KNOCK AIRPORT
0.90
70
19
3.8
2
NEWPORT (FURNACE)
0.83
78
17
4.3
24
STRAIDE
1.01
81
16
4.0 19,24
2.57
185
10
6.5
2
25 - 50%
50 - 75%
75 - 100%
100 - 125%
125 - 150%
150 - 175%
175 - 200%
CO WATERFORD
DUNGARVAN (CARRIGLEA)
CO WEXFORD
CLONROCHE (KNOXTOWN)
2.35
118
12
6.5
2
JFK PARK
2.18
131
10
5.9
3
WEXFORD WILDFOWL RESERVE
2.43
147
10
6.5
2
11*
6.9*
2
12
6.2
2,29
CO WICKLOW
ARKLOW (BALLYRICHARD HSE.)
2.70*
ASHFORD (CRONYKEERY)
2.77
124
* PARTIAL DATA USED IN CALCULATION
ARKLOW MISSING SUNSHINE DATA FROM 15TH
TOTAL SUNSHINE
(PERCENTAGE OF 1981-2010 NORMALS)
DAILY SUNSHINE VALUES (HOURS)
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
DUBLIN AIRPORT
BELMULLET
15
DECEMBER 2014
DEGREES FROM NORTH
MARINE OBSERVATIONS FROM IRISH MARINE DATA BUOY NETWORK
MEAN
M4
WIND DIRECTION
BUOY
M2
KNOTS
WIND SPEED
SEA
SURFACE
TEMP.
(°C)
12.2
MEAN
WIND
SPEED
(knots)
MAX
10-MIN
WIND
(knots)
18.7 33.0
M3* 11.7
17.9
M4
11.0
19.9 35.2
M5
11.8
18.8
32.3
n/a
n/a
M6*
n/a
MALIN
HEAD
9.5*
MAX
SIGNIFICANT
SIGNIFICANT
WAVE
HEIGHT
(m)
WAVE
HEIGHT
(m)
1.5
3.2
32.0 4.6
12.0
5.8* 15.7*
2.2
5.7
5.0
14.1
* PARTIAL DATA
SUMMARY OF MEAN MONTHLY VALUES
SEA TEMPERATURE
l MALIN HEAD
°C
M4 t
WAVE HEIGHT
t M2
METRES
M6
t M5
M3 t
HOURLY SEA TEMPERATURE AND WAVE CONDITIONS AT M4 (55°0’N, 10°0’W)
MALIN HEAD
VALENTIA OBSERVATORY
PRESSURE (hPa)
HOURLY MEAN SEA LEVEL PRESSURE DECEMBER 2014
DAY OF MONTH
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
Monthly mean sea level pressure values ranged
from just above 1013 hPa in the North to nearly
1021 hPa in the South. The month’s lowest
pressure value of 989.0 hPa was recorded at
Malin Head, Co Donegal on the 12th at 0300
and 0500 UTC as a depression off the
Scandinavian coast affected the country. The
month’s highest pressure value was 1042.1 hPa
was recorded at 1000 UTC on the 29th at
Carlow (Oak Park) as a high pressure system of
1044hPa spanned over the southern half of
Ireland, UK and northern France.
MONTHLY MEAN MSL PRESSURE, BASED ON 1200 UTC VALUES
16
GLOBAL WEATHER
DECEMBER 2014
%
400
200
DECEMBER RAINFALL
(PERCENTAGE OF 1961-1990 NORMAL)
150
125
100
75
50
25
0
°C
+7
+5
+3
DECEMBER MEAN
TEMPERATURE
(DIFFERENCE FROM 1961-1990 NORMAL)
+1
-1
-3
-5
-7
MAPS SUPPLIED BY NOAA
CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTRE,
US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
GLOBAL WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS SUPPLIED
BY AON BENFIELD
A strong storm brought heavy rainfall to
much of California which resulted in flash flooding
and landslides. From North Carolina to Maine,
torrential rain turned to snow as temperatures
plummeted. Snow depth totals in excess of 45.7 cm.
Strong winds, flash floods, significant mountain snow,
and torrential rain along U.S. west coasts, worst
affected was California where rainfall totals reached
367.8 mm.
GLOBAL
WEATHER
SUMMARY
Severe winter weather affected parts of
Europe causing widespread destruction and claiming
five lives in France, three in Bulgaria, and one in
Slovenia. In the UK, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria,
transport delays and power outages were experienced,
while in France, 19 departments were on the second
highest alert for snow and ice.
Heavy rainfall in Colombia
led to a large mudslid, which resulted in
six fatalities were killed. The rainfall also
caused at least two major rivers to break
their banks damaging or destroying more
than 10 bridges and leaving nearly
25,000 residents displaced.
The North East Monsoon brought torrential rain
and strong winds to Sri Lanka causing flash floods and
landslides. Thirty nine people were killed and thousands of
homes were destroyed. Super Typhoon Hagupit came ashore in
Philippines as a Category three strength storm, killing at least
18 people and injuring 916 others. Peak winds reached
99.9 knots (185km/h). The government ordered the evacuation
of 1.2 million residents which saved many lives.
At least 11 people died in
Swaziland and five were killed in
Mozambique as torrential rainfall triggered
flash floods. Numerous homes were
destroyed while in Mozambique, at least
300 people were left homeless.